Healthy Church
Growing Together in Christ
Introduction
A healthy church isn't merely a gathering of individuals under one roof but a living organism where every member functions in harmony toward a divine purpose. In Ephesians 4:15-16, Paul uses the metaphor of a body to describe the church, emphasizing how each part contributes to the whole. Like our physical bodies, which require all systems to work properly to thrive, the church needs every member to be actively engaged and functioning according to their design. When we examine the characteristics of a truly healthy church, we discover it's one where truth is spoken in love, Christ's message dwells richly, and every member recognizes their vital role in the congregation's growth and spiritual health.
1. Speaking the Truth in Love for Spiritual Growth (Ephesians 4:15-16)
Evangelism is most effective when the truth is proclaimed in love. This can only be accomplished by a spiritually mature believer who is thoroughly equipped in sound doctrine. Without maturity, truth can be cold, and love can become mere sentimentality.
The truth recommended by the apostles is the whole system of Gospel doctrine. They are to teach and preach, in direct opposition to deceit. Since this doctrine is rooted in God’s eternal love for mankind, it must be preached in love. Scolding and abuse from the pulpit or press in matters of faith are truly monstrous. A person who possesses the truth of God has no need for manipulative or coercive methods to defend or spread it. Love—both for God and others—provides the only means necessary.
Evidence of Spiritual Maturity Godly, biblical church growth results from every member of the body fully using their spiritual gifts in submission to the Holy Spirit and in cooperation with fellow believers. The gifted leaders are tasked with equipping the saints for the work of ministry and building up the body of Christ. The saints do not simply call a pastor and expect him to do all the work; rather, they follow his leadership as he equips them through the Word to carry out their calling (2 Timothy 3:13–17). The church grows when its members feed on the Word and minister to one another.
The first evidence of spiritual growth is Christlikeness. The second is stability. A maturing Christian is not easily swayed by religious novelties. False teachers seek to lure God’s children into deceptive cults, preying on immature believers. They do not focus on winning lost souls or serving in rescue missions because they lack the true Gospel message. Instead, they target Christians who are poorly nourished by the Word of God. Many of their followers come from churches that fail to provide proper teaching and spiritual nourishment.
The third evidence of maturity is truth joined with love: "Speaking the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15). It has been rightly said that truth without love is brutality, while love without truth is hypocrisy. Young children struggle to balance truth and love; they believe that shielding a loved one from painful truths is necessary. However, maturity enables believers to share truth with their fellow Christians in love. As Proverbs 27:6 states: "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful."
Another essential mark of maturity is cooperation (Ephesians 4:16). Believers are interconnected as members of one body. We belong to each other, affect each other, and need each other. Every believer, no matter how seemingly insignificant, plays a role in ministering to others. The body grows as individual members grow, and they, in turn, grow by feeding on the Word and serving one another. Love is repeatedly emphasized:
a. "Forbearing one another in love" (Ephesians 4:2)
b. "Speaking the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15)
c. "The edifying of itself in love" (Ephesians 4:16)
Love functions as the circulatory system of the body. Studies show that isolated, unloved babies do not grow properly and are vulnerable to disease, whereas those who are loved and nurtured develop normally and grow stronger. Likewise, isolated Christians cannot minister effectively, nor can they be ministered to. Without connection, spiritual gifts cannot be fully exercised.
Unity in Christ Spiritual unity is not something we manufacture—it already exists in Christ, and it is our responsibility to protect and maintain it. Truth unites, while lies divide. Love unites, but selfishness divides. Therefore, by "speaking the truth in love," let us equip and edify one another so that we may all grow to be more like Christ.
2. Truth in Love: The Foundation of Church Health
"Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ." (Ephesians 4:15)
A healthy church creates an environment where honesty and love coexist. Truth without love can be harsh and destructive, while love without truth lacks substance and direction. When we commit to speaking truth wrapped in genuine love, we create the fertile soil where spiritual growth flourishes.
This balance manifests in how we handle disagreements, provide correction, and encourage one another. In Acts 18:24-26, we see Priscilla and Aquila taking Apollos aside to explain "the way of God more adequately." Their approach wasn't public humiliation but private mentoring—truth delivered with respect and care.
Similarly, in Galatians 6:1, Paul instructs believers to "restore gently" those caught in sin. This gentle restoration exemplifies truth in love—addressing problems without destroying the person. A healthy church cultivates this environment where members can be transparent about struggles while feeling secure in the community's care.
How can every member contribute to a healthy church body? Each of us must examine whether our words build up or tear down. Do we avoid necessary conversations out of discomfort, or do we speak honestly while prioritizing the well-being of others? Truth in love isn't just an ideal - it's a practical daily choice that shapes our church's health.
3. Dwelling Richly in God's Word: The Nourishment for Growth
"Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts." (Colossians 3:16-17)
Just as a body needs consistent nutrition, a healthy church requires regular, deep engagement with Scripture. When Paul writes about letting Christ's message "dwell richly," he's describing more than casual Bible reading. The word "dwell" suggests permanent residence - God's Word should find a home in our collective life.
In Acts 2:42, we see the early church "devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching." This wasn't passive listening but active engagement with Scripture that transformed their community. Similarly, the Bereans in Acts 17:11 were commended for examining the Scriptures daily to verify what they were taught.
This rich dwelling happens through multiple channels: formal teaching, small group discussions, personal study, and even musical worship. Each method helps internalize Scripture in different ways, creating a comprehensive understanding of God's message.
How can teaching and admonishing one another build a stronger congregation? When we share insights from Scripture, we multiply learning across the community. Each member brings unique perspectives and applications, creating a tapestry of understanding richer than any individual could develop alone. This collective wisdom strengthens the church against doctrinal confusion (Ephesians 4:14) and equips members to face life's challenges with a biblical perspective.
4. Every Member Functioning: The Catalyst for Church Vitality
"From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." (Ephesians 4:16)
A healthy body requires every cell, tissue, and organ to function properly. Similarly, a healthy church depends on each member actively contributing according to their spiritual gifts. The phrase "as each part does its work" highlights that there are no passive roles in God's design for the church.
In 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, Paul elaborates on this body metaphor, emphasizing that every part, regardless of visibility or perceived importance, is essential. Even those parts that seem weaker are indispensable (v.22). A healthy church recognizes and values each member's contribution.
Romans 12:4-8 identifies various gifts given to build up the body: prophecy, service, teaching, encouragement, giving, leadership, and mercy. When these gifts operate in concert, the church functions as God intended.
Are there ministries that need more support? This question invites an honest assessment of where we might be imbalanced. Perhaps certain ministries receive abundant attention while others struggle for volunteers. A healthy church regularly evaluates whether all its vital functions are adequately supported and adjusts resources accordingly.
Active participation isn't optional but essential to church health. When members withhold their gifts, the entire body suffers. Conversely, when each person engages fully, the church experiences remarkable growth "as each part does its work."
Conclusion
A healthy church reflects God's intricate design, truth spoken in love, Scripture dwelling richly among believers, and every member functioning in their calling. This divine architecture produces growth not through human striving but through proper alignment with Christ, who is the head of the church.
- As we reflect on our congregation's health, let's consider our individual contributions.
- Are we speaking truth in love, even when difficult?
- Are we allowing Christ's message to dwell richly in our community through teaching and encouraging one another?
- Are we each fulfilling our God-designed function in the body?
The health of our church depends not on a few prominent leaders but on every member recognizing their vital role and functioning accordingly. When we align with God's blueprint for the church, with Christ as the head and every member working properly, we create an environment where spiritual growth naturally occurs, the gospel advances, and God receives glory through His church.
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21)
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Blessings,
Pastor JM Raja Lawrence
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
email: lawrencejmr@gmail.com
Mobile: +91 9933250072
